Colts Work Out Returnman Josh Cribbs

According to ESPN’s Field Yates, the Indianapolis Colts worked out kick returner Josh Cribbs today. Now age 31, Cribbs was once one of the most explosive returnman in NFL history with the Cleveland Browns. In fact, he’s tied for 1st in NFL History with 8 career kick return touchdowns, sharing that record with the Tennessee Titans’ Leon Washington. It’s also worth noting that he’s 3rd in NFL history in kick return yardage with 10,505 kick return yards under his belt, having had an impressive kick return career to say the least.

Dec 16, 2012; Cleveland, OH, USA; Cleveland Browns wide receiver Josh Cribbs (16) during a game against the Washington Redskins at Cleveland Browns Stadium. Washington won 38-21. Mandatory Credit: David Richard-USA TODAY Sports

Originally signed by the Cleveland Browns in 2005 as an undrafted free agent out of Kent State, Cribbs successfully made the conversion from acclaimed college quarterback to dynamic special teams returnman. He played his first 8 seasons with Cleveland.

Cribbs last played in the NFL with the New York Jets in 2013, appearing in 6 games before being placed on season-ending injured reserve because of a shoulder injury on December 3rd, 2013. While Cribbs is quite frankly one of the best returnman that the game of football has ever seen, various injuries and age have robbed him a bit of his previous explosiveness. He’s likely not the same dynamic returnman he once was.

Still, with the Colts already having worked out Trindon Holliday earlier this season, one has to wonder if they’re starting to seriously kick the tires on replacing their incumbent kick returnman Griff Whalen. A move that would be somewhat surprising, seeing as how Whalen is averaging 25.3 yards per return (9th in the NFL). At the very least, they’re performing their due diligence in the hopes of possibly upgrading the position going forward.